JJ Churchill, the precision engineering company, reduced the classical response time for the parts for the asymptomatic COVID-19 testing equipment needed by Surface Technology International (STI) by two-thirds.
A prototype to the traditional production process that requires a large volume of testing will normally take up to 16 weeks to complete.
JJ Churchill executed its prototyping abilities few hours after receiving its first development part from STI, a specialist contract electronics manufacturer.
This allows STI plan on how to give these testing machines to medics around the country as quickly as possible. The components of the machine are important part of the operation of the testing units. Both JJ Churchill and STI are working to improve the UK’s rapid test capabilities, at the same time striving to protect UK jobs, prevent staff layoffs, and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
As JJ Churchill is building up its production of the parts, it is also celebrating the delivery of its 10,000th part to the medical devices company. While supporting this, the managing director of JJ Churchill, Mark Cooper, said, “Last year we played a small part in the Government’s ventilator challenge.”
He added that “Now we are trying to push this to greater levels of speed, culminating in putting a development part into our colleague’s hands at STI, within few hours of receiving drawings.”
“We can achieve this speed of reaction due to our highly professional and experienced engineering and operations teams. We are actively working with STI through a complex prove out process where we require design tweaks at different stages. Working closely with our clients and understanding their needs, enables successful integration of critical requirements.
“Importantly, JJ Churchill was able to match quality and delivery with value for cost, which enabled STI to secure a cost-competitive supply chain in the UK.”
Simon Best, STI chairman, added: “Healthcare professionals around the UK have stepped up to the plate relentlessly. However, to help save the lives of the people and protect their staff from the virus, they need state-of-the-art equipment and they need to get it immediately.
“Working with JJ Churchill has enabled us to produce asymptomatic test equipment at speed, and consistently to extremely high reliability. This is a great demonstration of British engineering working in partnership to develop exactly what the country needs in such a time like this (in crisis). This way, we will be able to save the people and the country.”
